Paul Barden says this rose tends to send up many massive straight canes that are ten feet tall, very thorny, and difficult to train. He keeps
Othello in his garden because it marks a major turning point in his own relationship with roses.
For more information about Paul and his roses, see "Private Gardens", "Paul Barden's Rose Page."
On 1 November 1604 William Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, was first presented at Whitehall Palace in London. Although David Austin has written that 'Othello' has been superceded by better varieties, this rose with its large dark red blooms that age to purple is still widely available.
